---
title: "Search for Specific File Types & Change Ownership in Google workspace"
description: "Finding a specific file type in your **Google workspace** is made easy with **GAT+** using the powerful options available in the filter section these files can be managed effectively. > **IMPORTANT: User accounts MUST be Active for the Ownership change to work.****Google blocks any…"
url: "https://gatlabs.com/knowledge/tech-tips/search-for-specific-file-types-change-ownership-in-google-workspace/"
updated: "2022-03-24"
category: "Drive Audit & Management"
tags:
  - GAT Unlock
---

# Search for Specific File Types & Change Ownership in Google workspace

Finding a specific file type in your **Google workspace** is made easy with **GAT+** using the powerful options available in the filter section these files can be managed effectively.

> **IMPORTANT: User accounts MUST be Active for the Ownership change to work.****Google blocks any access to files when they are suspended**

### Getting Started

Firstly Launch GAT+ and navigate to the **‘Drive’** section.

![GAT Unlock | Search for Specific File Types & Change Ownership in Google workspace 1](https://gatlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/s1creenshot-uk.generalaudittool.com-2020.11.13-17_05_04-4.png)

### Finding a Specific Google Drive file

In the filter area, you can **use the search for parameter mime-type.**

Here is a list of type mime-type searches:

- **application/photoshop**
- **audio/mp3**
- **video/mov**
- **image/jpeg**
- **text/css**

For example, if we were **searching for mp4 files** owned by local users you can do the following search in Drive audit.

Click on the** ‘Apply custom filter’** button.

You can then apply the following search parameter.

1. Select the search parameter **MimeType equals video/mp4**
2. Click on the Add Rule button.
3. From the drop-down options select **‘Sharing Flags’**, ‘**doesn’t contain’, ‘****Shared in’****. **This will ignore all files which are shared in your domain

> Note: you have no administrative control over files shared in.

Click on **‘Apply’** to apply the search. You can name this filtered search, and save it for later (this is optional).

![GAT Unlock | Search for Specific File Types & Change Ownership in Google workspace 2](https://gatlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/mimefilterscreenshot-gs.generalaudittool.com-2020.11.30-13_16_33.png)

### Transferring of Ownership

When the search results appear you can select any of the files intended for **transfer of ownership**.

Click on ‘**File Operations**‘ then select **“File Management”** from the drop-down menu.

![](https://gatlabs.com/knowledge/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-11-26-11_35_25-Window.png)

Enter the new owner in the field provided. You can perform further actions too such as** add, remove, or replace** permissions.

![GAT Unlock | Search for Specific File Types & Change Ownership in Google workspace 4](https://gatlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/FM.png)

### Security officer notification

Your **security officer will receive an email** that will ask them to approve your request. Once the request it’s approved the changes will occur.

The changes in progress can be checked in the **“Admin log”** section.

![GAT Unlock | Search for Specific File Types & Change Ownership in Google workspace 5](https://gatlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/adlogscreenshot-gs.generalaudittool.com-2020.11.30-14_28_34.png)